Scandal at the Olympic football kickoff: Argentina appeared to have equalized against Morocco at the last second of the long stoppage time with a 2:2 score. After a two-hour interruption, the teams had to return to the pitch. And the goal was disallowed.
20 minutes of stoppage time, nearly two hours of interruption, and a video review: The Olympic football tournament had a memorable start. More than four hours after the kickoff, co-favorite Argentina lost 1:2 (0:1) to Morocco, after the Albiceleste had initially celebrated a 2:2.
Cristian Medina believed he had saved a point for Argentina with his supposed header goal in the 16th minute of stoppage time in Saint-Etienne. Everyone assumed that referee Glenn Nyberg (Sweden) had ended the match, and the teams went to their changing rooms.
Angry Protests from the Spectators
This led to furious Moroccan fans storming the pitch in protest against the long stoppage time. Spectators threw objects, and security tried to recapture the fans on the field.
Subsequently, there was confusion about whether the match had already ended or had only been interrupted shortly before the end. The video screens in the stadium indicated that the game was interrupted, and the spectators were to proceed to the exits. Fans and numerous observers assumed that the match was officially over.
Offside after Two Hours of Interruption
On the official Olympic page, it was initially stated that the equalizing goal was being reviewed for a possible offside position, but the score was listed as 2:2.
However, after a long interruption, both teams suddenly returned to the field, Nyberg reviewed the incident leading to the 2:2 once more on a sideline screen – and then ruled it as offside. The goal was disallowed, the match continued for a few more minutes – but Argentina could not score again. “The greatest circus I have ever seen in my life,” said Argentina’s coach Javier Mascherano.
And so, Morocco, led by former Dortmund player Achraf Hakimi, indeed pulled off a major surprise against the Argentinians, with the South Americans struggling despite having two world champions, Julian Alvarez (Manchester City) and Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica Lisbon). It wasn’t until the final phase that coach Javier Mascherano’s team, who had won Olympic gold as a player in 2004 and 2008, started to put pressure.
Morocco the Stronger Team
The level of the North African youth team apparently surprised Argentina, with the experienced Otamendi acting as the defensive organizer. The team found themselves almost continuously countering Morocco throughout the 90 minutes, who could have scored more than just two goals.
Ultimately, the Moroccans only needed the goals from Soufiane Rahimi, who scored from open play in the stoppage time of the first half, and converted a penalty in the 59th minute, to secure the victory. Argentina’s late goal by Giuliano Simeone – son of Atletico coach Diego Simeone – in the 74th minute came too late. Even if the Argentinians were temporarily sure they had drawn 2:2 after 16 minutes of stoppage time.